"It was an experience like no other. He looked me right in the eyes as my hand moved up to his shoulder. Then at the right moment, I led the turn and he followed it perfectly," Mike said.
LED?
"Yeah, I dance with guys. And I'm not afraid to admit it, either. It takes a good lead to understand how the follow is really supposed to go down."
Dance ego aside, Mike has an interesting take on a small, but growing swing dance subculture. More and more, in the dark corners of swing dances, you might notice them. Boys - dancing with other boys. Its not necessarily pretty, sometimes very funny, but it is most certainly very entertaining to watch. For one on the outside peering in, this type partnering might seem a mystery.
"Do I like to be led by another guy," Mike continued, "Well, yeah, as long as he isnt a sweaty mess. I mean, then I might get too smelly when I go back to dance with girls who dont follow as well as I do."
Clearly, Mikes ego nearly ruined this article.
But sometimes, theres an even simpler explanation of this phenomenon. And quite simply, it could have to do with the make-up of the room.
"Well, on some nights there just arent enough women to go around. BO-RING. So, Ill just tell my buddy to follow me so I can practice my steps," mentions a young man whose name will remain anonymous. "He doesnt know how to follow well at all, and I have to lead very clearly to get him to do what I want him to. So really, by dancing with a guy, I kinda consider it a true test of my lead."
"I see it the opposite way." Mr. Anonymous friend interjected. "Sometimes, by following a guy, I get a chance to see what Im doing wrong in my own lead. Yeah, its great for boredom. But I also use it as a learning experience."
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